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This contribution is focussing its interest on a specific section of social services and social administration in the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG). An important part of the German Social Security System is represented by the Social Assistance, based on the Federal Social Assistance Act of 1961. All persons living in the FRG are entitled to receive social assistance (financial payments, payments in kind, personal advice), if their income is less than a certain minimum standard and no other sources (e.g. other social security schemes, family) are able to provide financial support. The number of persons receiving social assistance in the FRG increased since the beginning of the 80s rapidly (in 1986 about 2.2 million persons received income maintenance payments); among the recipients of social assistance long‐term unemployed persons, single‐parent families and the elderly are representing the major part of clients. Social assistance is provided by local social administration. One of the characteristics of the social assistance is the fact that the local administration is required to offer financial support as well as personal advice to the clients. This implicates that the assistance provided by the local administration is a rather complex process, including various types of administrative work as well as social help.